That's a great question, don't you think? We will answer it in class on Thursday in a (hopefully) fun activity, but to prepare, we should do a little background reading and watching. Read "The Fifties" in Creating America (28-3, pp. 800-803), read over the ABC-CLIO links posted below, and watch the videos below. FOR HOMEWORK, CREATE A LIST (IN YOUR ONLINE NOTEBOOK) OF POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES CONCERNING LIFE IN THE FIFTIES FOR CLASS ON THURSDAY. WE WILL USE IT TO WRITE SOME DIALOGUE ...
President Eisenhower expanded Social Security, increased minimum wage for workers, created the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Americans felt more prosperous and there were more families created. The U.S. grew by 30 million people in the 50s.
The baby boom expanded the suburbs.Shopping centers, movie theatres, and restaurants sprouted up on what was once farmland.
Car sales exploded.
For millions of mainly white Americans, life in the suburbs was living the American dream. Lived in an affordable house, good school for children, and living in a safe place to raise their children.
In the 50s, magazines, films, and T.V. programs praised women for their roles as homemakers.
Economy was booming.
New T.V. shows for the whole family, very entertaining.
Rock n' Roll. All teens listened to that music as it became more popular.
Elvis!
Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac protested to the "squarness" of American society. Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, also wanted to shake up the dullness of the Eisenhower years.
Kennedy wins election. Wanted to "get this country moving again".
BAD
In 1957, nearly one out of every five Americans lived in poverty.
Fewer people remained in the city to pay taxes.
Often, those most affected by urban decay were African Americans and Latinos.
Many could not afford homes in suburbs.
Many Mexicans immigrated to the U.S. and being taken advantage of, they had to endure difficult living and working conditions.
Not all women felt fulfilled as being homemakers, they felt isolated and bored. They had limited job choices.
Movie theatres became less popular as more people stayed home to watch T.V.
That's a great question, don't you think? We will answer it in class on Thursday in a (hopefully) fun activity, but to prepare, we should do a little background reading and watching. Read "The Fifties" in Creating America (28-3, pp. 800-803), read over the ABC-CLIO links posted below, and watch the videos below.
FOR HOMEWORK, CREATE A LIST (IN YOUR ONLINE NOTEBOOK) OF POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES CONCERNING LIFE IN THE FIFTIES FOR CLASS ON THURSDAY. WE WILL USE IT TO WRITE SOME DIALOGUE ...
The Cold War at Home / The Economy Booms / The Sky is the Limit / Boom-Time for Babies and Houses
GOOD
BAD